Barge cover

ABSTRACT

A cover for barges and the like which is formed of a relatively light weight material and is in a semi-rigid form and gains the necessary rigidity from the positioning thereof on the barge combings. The cover is formed in and from mating sections which sections interlock to form a single section. The covers are arcuate in shape to increase the capacity of the barge and door openings and lifting members are formed integrally into the covers.

Unite States ateni 1 But-well I BARGE COVER [75] Inventor: Rodney P. Burwell, Edina, Minn.

[73] Assignee: Northwestern National Bank of Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minn.

[22] Filed: Dec. 3, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 94,857

[52] US. Cl ..114/201 [51] Int. Cl. ..B63b 19/12 [58] Field of Search ..l14/201, 202, 203;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Schroer et al. ..1 14/201 ....1 14/202 Farrell FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 963,952 7/1964 Great Britain ..l l4/20l l,322,902 2/1963 France 1 14/201 1,005,702 2/1952 France 14/201 934,249 1/1948 France 14/201 934,251 1/1948 France ..114/201 Primary ExaminerMilton Buchler Assistant Examiner-Stuart M. Goldstein Attorney-James R. Cwayna [57] ABSTRACT A cover for barges and the like which is formed of a relatively light weight material and is in a semi-rigid form and gains the necessary rigidity from the positioning thereof on the barge combings. The cover is formed in and from mating sections which sections interlock to form a single section. The covers are arcuate in shape to increase the capacity of the barge and door openings and lifting members are formed integrally into the covers.

1 Claim, 9 Drawing Figures Patented May 1, 1973 3,730,128

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1

INVENTOR RODNEY R BURWELL ATTORNEY Patented May 1, 1973 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 6'

FIG.5

INVENTOR.

RODNEY I? BURWELL ATTORNEY Patented May 1, 1973 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.9

FIG.8

INVENTOR. RODNEY RBURWELL ATTORNEY BARGE COVER The standard barge cover now utilized is formed of steel and normally is flat or may include a minimal crown area to prevent the accumulation of water. These steel covers are relatively heavy and this weight factor definitely lowers the carrying capacity of the barge as the carrying capacity is related to the draft of the barge and obviously a heavier cover will affect the draft.

Applicant as provided herein a barge cover which is molded of fiberglass and which includes the necessary strengthening ribs to afford sufficient strength to the cover permitting the same to span the barge width and further the cover gains a certain degree of additional strength through the combing attachment to mount the same to the barge. The unit, being of fiberglass, is semirigid and therefore is relatively shick absorbent but the attachment device utilized positively locates the ends of the cover and therefore increases the rigidity and thereby the strength thereof.

With a fiberglass cover as compared to the standard steel covers now utilized, the weight of the barge is substantially reduced and therefore a higher payload may be carried. Such a load increase will obviously reduce the cost per pound of material being shipped.

It is therefore an object of applicants invention to provide a barge cover of a non-steel material.

It is a further object of applicants invention to provide a barge cover formed of fiberglass and therefore being of a relatively lightweight material.

It is a further object of applicants invention to provide a cover for barges and the like which is a two section cover with means for joining the two sections into a single cover member.

It is a further object of applicants invention to provide a barge cover aving a male and female end such that the same may be effectively weather joined and such that cargo will not accumulate in the joint area.

It is still a further object of applicants invention to provide a plurality of barge cover sections having strengthening ribs which ribs also serve as locating devices when the individual covers are stacked upon one another.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan 'view for joined barge covers each of which embodies the various concepts of applicant's invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation taken from FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. I;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken substantially along line 55 of FIG. I particularly illustrating the method ofjoining the individual sections;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the mating technique of the male and female ends of the covers;

FIG. 7 is a section taken substantially along line 77 of FIG. I particularly illustrating the method employed for mounting the covers onto the combing of the barge;

FIG. 8 is a section taken substantially along line 8-8 of FIG. 1 illustrating the hinge portion of the door mounting means; and,

FIG. 9 is a section taken substantially along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 illustrating the hinge member.

In accordance with the accompanying drawings, the entire barge cover provided herein by applicant is generally designated 10 and includes a pair of joined members 11-12 which, except for the means forjoining the two members and the means for joining the complete covers to one another are vertual mirror images of one another and are formed in exactly the same manner and with the same techniques. The cover element 10 is formed from fiberglass and therefore is relatively light as compared to steel construction now employed to make such covers.

Each of the cover sections 11, 12 includes an arcuately formed top portion 13, having ends 13a, 13b and sides designated respectively 14, 15, 16 and 17. Although the ends 13a, 13b are identical for both of the sections, the sides are formed for their particular function and will be described completely hereinafter.

Directly below the top portion 13 are a pair of spaced apart arcuately formed ribs 18, 19 extending between the ends 13a, 13b and the radius of these ribs l8, 19 must match the radius of the top 13 such that covers may be stacked properly on one another. As illustrated in FIG. 4 these ribs 18, 19 are arranged adjacent a door section 20 and below areas of the top 13 that are clear of any devices such that they may rest upon the top 13.

A pair of cross ribs 21, 22 extend between the ribs 18, 19 and are located on either side of the door section 20. These ribs not only add to the strength of the unit but they also serve a locating function when the covers are in the stacked position as they will be on either side of the door of the cover that is lying directly therebelow and prevent sliding of the stacked covers.

Also arranged on the upper surface of the cover top 13 are sets of climbing stairs designated in their entirety 23, 24. These stairs are formed integrally into the top 13 and arranged between the first mentioned ribs l8, 19. It should be noted that the stairs are set into the top 13 such that the tread portion is always in a horizontal position. It should also be noted that even though the stairs are inset, they will not affect the stacking of the covers.

As illustrate in FIG. 1, each cover section 10 is provided with a pair of door sections 20 which are disposed on opposite sides of the cover 10. This location is necessary for proper loading of the barge to permit loading thereof from both sides of the barge. The cross section of the door 20 is best illustrated in FIG. 4. An upstanding door mounting flange is formed on the top 13 and this flange 27 is provided with a step 27a upon which the door 28 rests in the closed position. This flange 27 is continuous and the stepped portion 27a is sloped as in FIG. 8 such that material will not collect thereon.

The door 28 is also of a one piece construction and is provided with a strengthening X 28a on the upper surface thereof but the mid-portion of the X is properly designed to prevent collection of water on the covering door.

The method of mounting the door provides a metal to fiberglass hinge thereby eliminating any possibility of rusting. The hinge construction is particularly illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 and as illustrated the door 28 is provided with an outwardly extending boss 28b having a passage therethrough 28c. To complete the hinge, a mounting plate 30 is secured to the sloped step portion 27a and a cylindrical member is secured to the plate and extends outwardly therefrom. This cylindrical member is designated 31. Two such hinge constructions are utilized and the cylindrical members 31 are directed in opposite directions. In order to mount the door 28 it is necessary to position the door and thereafter insert and position the mounting plate. This construction insures that the door will not accidentally fall off as it is in effect a capturing hinge.

In order to move the covers, a plurality of lifting eyes are provided on the top portion 13. These eyes are designated 35 and are spaced for level lifting of the cover 10 or the individuals sections ll, 12 before assembly at the dock site. Each of the eyes 35 includes a base section 36 formed of fiberglass with a passage therethrough to receive an eye attaching bolt member 37 which member 37 also passes through the eye 38 to hold the same to the base 36. It will be obvious that this type of construction again utilizes a metal to fiberglass pivot and again the rust problem is solved.

It should be noted that the design of the top 13 and all of the apparatus located thereon is developed with the concepts of non material collecting and water runoff and further of rust prevention.

In order to join the individual sections 11, 12 the structure illustrated in FIG. 5 is provided. For example, although it should be obvious that the sides hereinafter described could be interchanged on the individual covers 11 or 12, the side 15 includes a downwardly offset flange 15a and the side 16 includes a bifurcated construction providing a pair of spaced arms 16a, 16b which spacing permits the flange 15a to be received therebetween. An attachment locking member 40 passes through this assembly and obviously a plurality of such members 40 are utilized along the length of the joint.

In order to provide the necessary sealing connection between adjacent total sections 10 as normally to cover an entire barge a plurality of such covers 10 are utilized, a male-female construction is provided. This typical structure is illustrated in FIG. 6. In this situation the female member is designated 14 and includes an upwardly sloping portion 14a, a top portion 14b and a downwardly depending lip portion 140. The male portion includes an upwardly sloping portion 17a, a top portion 17b and a downwardly depending lip 17c. Obviously the dimensions for the individual portions of the male must allow the female to fit thereover. It should be noted that the slope of the male portion 17a is slightly different than the slope of the downwardly depending lip Me of the female. This again is a cargo collection prevention device and this is also true of the upwardly slope of section 14a of the female.

Although this male-female construction is easily disassembled, an effective locating and sealing means is obtained with the same.

The means for attaching the cover sections to the barge combing is particularly illustrated in FIG. 7. The

top section 13 terminates in a roll portion 13a and directly therebehind a channel mounting ledge 13b is formed from the fiberglass material and a steel channel or the like is glassed on the bottom surface of the ledge. Glassing such a foreign member into the structure is well known in the art and although other means could be used to position this channel 41 this technique is very effective. A plurality of locating pins 42 are arranged on the inner portion of the channel 41 and these pass through apertures in the barge combing B. The channel construction to mount on the uppersurface of the combing B positively locates and holds the ends of the cover 10. With this type of structure the requirement of strength of the cover, when using a semi-rigid material for the cover, is achieved.

By restraining the end portions of this cover sufficient strength is obtained and it is therefore not necessary to build all of the required strength into the cover itself. Any other covers built of other than steel have all included foreign materials to build their strength to the desired level but applicant has obtained all of is neces sary strength through one material and a unique design.

Applicants device is, through the single material concept and the design concepts employed, a relatively inexpensive unit to manufacture and though the price per pound of his raw material would normally be higher than steel, he does, through weight reduction and simplified manufacturing produce a unit below the cost of competitive covers.

Although applicant has illustrated and discussed his cover as being of joined construction, this is simply due to the size of the single cover and the transportation problems involved for a larger cover. If the unit were manufactured at dock site this situation would not be necessary and the unit could be manufactured as a single piece unit. Being two individual sections and being arched shaped permits the joinder of the units as depicted. If the units were flat this type of joinder would not be possible without additional strengthening members.

It should be obvious that applicant has provided a new and unique solution to a long existing problem through his design concepts which permit him to utilize a semi-rigid member and by using the strength of the barge increase the strength of his unit to a proper level.

What I claim is:

1. A set of covers for barges and the like, each such cover including;

a. an arcuately formed member of a length to extend across the width of a barge;

b. means on the respective ends of said member arranged and constructed to releasably engage portions of the barge and prevent movement of said member relative to the barge, whereby said member is held longitudinally;

c. passage means formed in said member forfilling the barge after positioning said member thereon;

d. cover means arranged and constructed for selectively opening and closing said passage;'and,

e. said passage means including an upwardly directed flange member integrally formed with said arcuately formed member and surrounding said passage and a cover door member hingedly attached to said flange and overlying said flange when in closed position. 

1. A set of covers for barges and the like, each such cover including; a. an arcuately formed member of a length to extend across the width of a barge; b. means on the respective ends of said member arranged and constructed to releasably engage portions of the barge and prevent movement of said member relative to the barge, whereby said member is held longitudinally; c. passage means formed in said member for filling the barge after positioning said member thereon; d. cover means arranged and constructed for selectively opening and closing said passage; and, e. said passage means including an upwardly directed flange member integrally formed with said arcuately formed member and surrounding said passage and a cover door member hingedly attached to said flange and overlying said flange when in closed position. 